Movies on CNBC this summer

Steve Krakauer of Mediaite takes a look at the decision by business news network CNBC to air movies on Friday nights this summer.

Krakauer writes, “Other movies include The Thomas Crown Affair and The Rainmaker. The movies air Friday nights at 8pmET, as well as during the July 4 weekend. On Twitter, CNBC correspondent Jane Wells had some fun yesterday taking suggestions about other movies CNBC should air – The Matrix anyone?

“While it’s pretty surprising that a news network would air movies instead of news, picking Friday nights in the summer is probably the best time to do it. And truthfully, it will probably help ratings. But business networks have long been accused of airing occasional non-business coverage. CNBC’s own documentaries, that are often ratings draws, have been about everything from porn to marijuana. On Fox Business Network, some have criticized the choice of Don Imus as morning show host, since his radio program focus is far from the business news world. On Bloomberg, re-airing Charlie Rose only gets some business focus.

“Are all these better because they occur during hours when the American markets aren’t open? Maybe. Then again, when business news junkies turn on CNBC on Friday evening in July and see Gordon Gekko, it’s going to be at least a little jarring.”

Read more here.